Israel Matzav

Egypt pushing to end anti-terror ops against Hamas in Judea and Samaria

Hebrew daily Yediot Aharonot is reporting that Egypt is pushing for a package deal for the release of Gilad Shalit and the reopening the Gaza crossings that will include an end to 'Palestinian police' operations against Hamas in Judea and Samaria. Defense Minister Barak has gone to Cairo to discuss the deal.

Key features of the deal:

1. An end to security operations - including by the forces trained by General Dayton - against Hamas in the West Bank

2. Deployment of experts, supervisors and possibly soldiers from Egypt and other Arab countries to assist the armed Hamas-Fatah forces in Gaza.

3. Release of Shalit in return for Israeli release that includes Israeli "flexibility" over release of murderers (those not explicitly ruled out by Israeli security authorities).

4. Complete lifting of import restrictions into Gaza with foreign experts and supervisors making sure that the building materials are not used for military construction and weapons production.

5. Egypt frees all Hamas people it holding and provides free movement to Hamas in Egypt.

6. All agree to accept the outcome of the next Palestinian elections come-what-may.

The commentary to the article points out that this is likely a recipe for Hamas to take over Judea and Samaria and that the Egyptians - who are charged with ensuring that Hamas does not use building materials to build Kassams - do not admit to this day that any weapons are being smuggled into Gaza. This does not sound like much of a plan for Israel.

posted by Carl in Jerusalem @ 6:16 PM